My purpose of writing this book is to introduce Himachal Pradesh to the readers in a systematic and easily understandable manner. I hope that the information given in the book will be of use to everyone.

This reference book , containing all the important information about Himachal Pradesh, is compiled and arranged in a reader friendly format. It has several salient features that make it better and different from its competitors. It is comprehensive and detailed without being bulky and voluminous. Handy and packed with the latest information (updated up to April 2006), it has all the facts, figures, information and analysis that one needs.

This book is a compendium on history, geography, demography, culture, economy and society of Himachal. The book profiles each district and the entire state in a handy volume. Separate chapters on government and politics, agriculture, horticulture, education, health, tourism, communications, rural development, industry and other specialized areas make this an excellent reference book.

Every effort to verify the information given in this book for its correctness has been made and is based on authentic historical documents, government reports, other official documents, press releases and news reports.

This book will meet the need of students and candidates preparing for competitive examinations for comprehensive and compact reference material. In addition, general readers will find this an invaluable storehouse of interesting and relevant information. Government functionaries, non-government organizations, business executives, industrialists-every individual and institution will need this for ready reference.

Minakshi Chaudhry

Back Of Book

Himachal Pradesh has always been one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India, not just for the State's abundant natural beauty, but also for its rich, unique cultural heritage.

In this guide, Minakshi Chaudhry gives a detailed overview of this beautiful land in terms of its history, geography, demography, culture, economy and social structure. A systematic and easily accessible reference book, Himachal: A Complete Guide to the Land of Gods is a must - have for students, candidates preparing for competitive examinations, government functionaries, non - government organisations, industrialists and any individual who is interested in the ecology, history, geography of one of the most picturesque States in India. Himachal: A Complete Guide to the Land of Gods is an invaluable storehouse of interesting and relevant information.

Minakshi Chaudhry has travelled extensively as a reporter for the Indian Express. She has authored three books, Exploring Pangi Himalaya: A World Beyond Civilization, A Guide to Trekking in Himachal and Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills.

My purpose of writing this book is to introduce Himachal Pradesh to the readers in a systematic and easily understandable manner. I hope that the information given in the book will be of use to everyone.

This reference book , containing all the important information about Himachal Pradesh, is compiled and arranged in a reader friendly format. It has several salient features that make it better and different from its competitors. It is comprehensive and detailed without being bulky and voluminous. Handy and packed with the latest information (updated up to April 2006), it has all the facts, figures, information and analysis that one needs.

This book is a compendium on history, geography, demography, culture, economy and society of Himachal. The book profiles each district and the entire state in a handy volume. Separate chapters on government and politics, agriculture, horticulture, education, health, tourism, communications, rural development, industry and other specialized areas make this an excellent reference book.

Every effort to verify the information given in this book for its correctness has been made and is based on authentic historical documents, government reports, other official documents, press releases and news reports.

This book will meet the need of students and candidates preparing for competitive examinations for comprehensive and compact reference material. In addition, general readers will find this an invaluable storehouse of interesting and relevant information. Government functionaries, non-government organizations, business executives, industrialists-every individual and institution will need this for ready reference.

Minakshi Chaudhry

Back Of Book

Himachal Pradesh has always been one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India, not just for the State's abundant natural beauty, but also for its rich, unique cultural heritage.

In this guide, Minakshi Chaudhry gives a detailed overview of this beautiful land in terms of its history, geography, demography, culture, economy and social structure. A systematic and easily accessible reference book, Himachal: A Complete Guide to the Land of Gods is a must - have for students, candidates preparing for competitive examinations, government functionaries, non - government organisations, industrialists and any individual who is interested in the ecology, history, geography of one of the most picturesque States in India. Himachal: A Complete Guide to the Land of Gods is an invaluable storehouse of interesting and relevant information.

Minakshi Chaudhry has travelled extensively as a reporter for the Indian Express. She has authored three books, Exploring Pangi Himalaya: A World Beyond Civilization, A Guide to Trekking in Himachal and Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

xvii

Preface

xix

Chapter 1:

Physical Aspects

1

Himachal

1

The Land

1

Mountain System

2

Main Peaks in Himachal

4

Rivers

4

Riverside Towns in Himachal

6

Glaciers

7

Avalanches

9

Lakes

9

Valleys

10

Other Valleys

12

Climate

13

Seasons

14

Chapter II:

People

16

Demography

16

Proportion of rural - urban population

16

Village and Household size

17

Sex ratio

18

Sex ratio in the age group of 0 - 6 years

18

Literacy

19

Gender Gap

20

Literacy rate (rural)

20

Literacy rate (urban)

20

Demography of Scheduled Castes

21

Sex ratio among Scheduled Castes

22

Demography of Scheduled Tribes

22

Sex Ratio of Scheduled Tribe Population

23

Religion

23

Scheduled Tribes of Himachal

24

Culture

29

Customs and Manners

29

Birth

30

Marriage

32

Marriage by abduction

35

Polyandry and Polygyny

36

Art, craft and architecture

37

Wood Art

39

Sculpture

39

Painting

40

Temples

41

Folk Dances

45

Folk Drama

46

Language

47

Script

49

Literature

49

Cuisine

50

Important personalities of the state

51

Freedom fighters

51

Chief Ministers

56

Other important personalities of the state

58

Writers and artists

60

The Roerichs

60

Chapter III:

History

64

Prehistory

64

Ancient History

66

Medieval History

69

British rule

74

Freedom Struggle and Praja mandal movement

75

Independence and after

77

Hill States

78

Chapter IV:

Ecology

80

The Forests

82

Classification of Forests

83

Forest types

83

Wildlife

84

Poaching

89

Monkey menace

89

Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)

90

Pin Valley National Park

91

The Forest Policy Issues

95

Environmental Concerns

96

Quarrying

96

Flash floods and Landslides

96

Water Pollution

97

Grazing

97

Forest Fires

97

Lopping

98

Tourism

98

Heavy Construction

99

Sewage Disposal

100

Disease in Forests

100

Eco - Tourism Policy

101

Implementation Strategy

101

Chapter V:

Government and Politics

102

Introduction

102

Administrative developments

103

Milestones in Constitutional History (1948 - 1972)

107

Elections and Party Politics

108

Executive

110

Police

111

Crime against women

112

Drugs

113

Suicides

114

Nepali criminals

115

Militancy in Himachal

115

Judiciary in Himachal

115

Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal

116

Lokayukta

116

Himachal Pradesh public Service Commission

117

Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Board

117

Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public

Administration (HIPA)

118

Chapter VI:

Economy

119

Introduction

119

Economic Profile

119

State Domestic Product

120

Receipt and Expenditure of the State Government, in crore rupees

121

Per Capita Income

123

Employment

123

Industrial Policy

124

Industrial Growth

126

Aqua Culture

127

Sericulture

128

Handloom and Handicrafts

128

Minerals

129

Mining

130

Money and Banking

131

Priority Sector Credit

131

Micro Finance

132

NABARD

132

Rural Infrastructure

132

Rural Non - Farm Sector

133

Urban Development

133

Chapter VII:

State Budget

138

What is Budget ?

138

What is included in the Budget ?

138

Chapter VIII:

Information Technology and Biotechnology

145

Computerisation; e - governance projects

146

Biotechnology

147

Chapter IX:

Hydroelectric Potential

149

Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board

151

Projects with the Central Private Sector Units (CPSUs)

151

Projects in Private Sector

151

Main Projects in the State

151

HIMURJA

153

Chapter X

157

Education

157

Education Indicators

157

Educational Institutions

158

Scholarship Schemes and Incentives to the Children

163

Technical Education

164

Chapter XI

166

Health

166

National Rural Health Mission

167

Health Policy

168

Specialised Medical Care and Medical Colleges

169

Main Programmes of Health Department

170

Chapter XII:

Rural Development

174

Panchayati Raj

175

Rural Poverty in Himachal

176

Special Schemes and Programmes for Rural Development

178

Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)

178

Schemes for Social Welfare

181

Schemes for Child Welfare

182

Schemes of Women Welfare

183

Welfare Schemes for the Handicapped

183

Public Distribution System

184

Price Control

185

Chapter XIII

187

Agriculture

187

Hill agriculture

187

Climate Zones in Himachal

187

Main Crops

188

Irrigation

189

Animal Husbandry

189

Fisheries and Aquaculture

190

Mushroom Cultivation

191

Kangra Tea

192

Functions of Agriculture Department

192

Seed Development and Multiplication

193

Soil Testing

193

Crop Protection

194

Seed Potato Development

194

Vegetable Development

194

Ginger Development

194

Agricultural Marketing

194

Farmers' Training and Education

195

Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana

195

Centrally Sponsored Schemes

195

Integrated Scheme of Oilseed, Pulses,
Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM)

195

Biogas Development Programmes

195

Work Plan for Accelerated Growth of Agriculture

196

Incentives to Farmers

196

Seed Certification Programmes

196

Women in Agriculture Programmes

197

National Agriculture Technology Project

197

Chapter XIV

202

Horticulture

202

Horticulture in the hills

202

Role of Horticulture

203

Apple economy

205

Horticulture Technology Mission

206

Chapter XV

207

Tourism

207

The early explorers

208

Hill stations

210

Tourism potential

210

Adventure Activities

211

Pilgrimage Tourism

214

Profile of Tourism visiting the state

215

Tourism Policy of Himachal

216

Chapter XVI:

Communication

219

Roads

219

National Highways

220

Himachal Road Transport Corporation

223

Railway

224

Kalka-Shimla Railway

224

Bhalkoo and Shimla Railways

225

Pathankot-Jogindernagar Railway Line

226

Ambala-Una-Talwara Railway Line

226

Chandigarh-Baddi Railway Line

226

Air

226

Telecommunication

227

Internet Users

227

BSNL's Vision 2007

227

Postal Department

228

Newspapers and Periodicals

228

Ancient trade routes to Tibet

228

Mountain Passes to Tibet

230

Chapter XVII:

Districts

231

Shimla

231

Fact File

231

History

232

Geography

233

Fairs and Festivals

233

Sirmour

235

Fact File

235

History

236

Geography

237

Fairs and Festivals

238

Solan

238

Fact File

238

History

239

Geography

239

Fairs and Festivals

239

Mandi

240

Fact File

240

History

241

Geography

243

Fairs and Festivals

244

Shivratri

244

Kullu

245

Fact File

245

History

246

Geography

247

Fairs and Festivals

248

Sainj Fair

249

Kangra

249

Fact File

249

History

251

Geography

252

Fairs and Festivals

253

Bilaspur

253

Fact File

253

History

254

Geography

254

Fairs and Festivals

255

Hamirpur

256

Fact File

256

History

256

Geography

257

Fairs and Festivals

257

Chamba

258

Fact File

258

History

259

Geography

260

Fairs and Festivals

261

Kinnaur

262

Fact File

262

History

264

Geography

264

Fairs and Festivals

264

Lahaul-Spiti

265

Fact File

265

History

266

Lahaul

266

Spiti

267

Geography

268

Fairs and Festivals

269

Una

269

Fact File

269

History

270

Geography

271

Fairs and Festivals

271

Chapter XVIII:

Hazard Profile of Himachal

272

Earthquakes

272

Chapter XIX:

Select Bibliography

276

Art, Dance

276

Census

276

Gazetteer

277

General

278

Painting

278

Travel, Trekking

278

History and Culture

279

Language, Customs

280

Appendices

281

Sample Pages

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I have read this book. This is very informative book on Himachal with all the latest information on all the subjects. In fact this is the best book to prepare for competitive examinations in the state. Unlike other such books this is to the point and without any frills attached. I will recommend this to everyone preparing for competetive exams and also for others. I hope to see the revised edition soon.

Kailash Raj’s art, as always, is marvelous. We are so grateful to you for allowing your team to do these special canvases for us. Rarely do we see this caliber of art in modern times. Kailash Ji has taken the Swaminaryan monks’ suggestions to heart and executed each one with accuracy and a spiritual touch.

Sadasivanathaswami, Hawaii

Good selections. and ease of ordering. Thank you

Kris, USA

Thank you for having books on such rare topics as Samudrika Vidya, keep up the good work of finding these treasures and making them available.

Tulsi, USA

Received awesome customer service from Raje. Thank You very much.

Victor, USA

Just wanted to let you know the books arrived on Friday February
22nd. I could not believe how quickly my order arrived, 4 days from India. Wow! Seeing the post mark, touching and smelling the books made me long for your country. Reminded me it is time to visit again.
Thank you again.

Patricia, Canada

Thank you for beautiful, devotional pieces.

Ms. Shantida, USA

Received doll safely and gift pack was a pleasant surprise. Keep up the good job.

Vidya, India

Thank you very much. Such a beautiful selection! I am very pleased with my chosen piece. I love just looking at the picture. Praise Mother Kali! I'm excited to see it in person

Michael, USA

Hello! I just wanted to say that I received my statues of Krishna and Shiva Nataraja today, which I have been eagerly awaiting, and they are FANTASTIC! Thank you so much, I am so happy with them and the service you have provided. I am sure I will place more orders in the future!